Potential Trump VP Candidate, Byron Donalds, Implies There were Positive Aspects to Jim Crow Era
TL/DR –
Rep. Byron Donalds, a potential running mate for Donald Trump, has criticized government programs following the Jim Crow era for their impact on Black families, receiving backlash from individuals like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sarafina Chitika, a spokeswoman for Biden’s campaign. Donalds’ comments were made at an event aimed at promoting Trump and the Republican party to Black voters. Donalds later defended his comments, stating that his words were misconstrued and that he was pointing out the detrimental impact of Democratic policies on Black families.
Florida Republican Byron Donalds Suggests Virtues of Jim Crow Era in Bid to Win Voters of Color
Florida Republican Representative, Byron Donalds, who is rumored to be Donald J. Trump’s potential VP pick,, controversially suggested Tuesday that the Jim Crow era had some benefits for Black people. He made these comments at a “Congress, Cognac, & Cigars” event in Philadelphia, aimed at promoting Trump’s campaign and the Republican brand.
Donalds argued that federal programs following the Jim Crow era, like the 1950s welfare system and the civil rights agenda of President Lyndon B. Johnson during the 1960s, were detrimental to Black families. “During Jim Crow, the Black family was together… more Black people voted conservatively,” stated Donalds.
These remarks were met with backlash from President Biden’s campaign, which is trying to win back the support of Black voters, especially Black men.
Sarafina Chitika, spokeswoman for Biden’s campaign, slammed Donalds’ comments, branding Trump’s ‘Black outreach’ as a promise to take America back to the Jim Crow era. Chitika asserted that Black voters would reject Trump’s “racist agenda” in November.
House minority leader, Representative Hakeem Jeffries, also condemned Donalds, pointing out the historical injustices of the Jim Crow era. Jeffries called Donalds’ comments “outlandish, outrageous and out-of-pocket.” Trump’s campaign has not responded to these criticisms.
Donalds responded to criticisms on his X profile, defending his comments. He argued that Democrat policies post-Jim Crow contributed to the destruction of Black families and praised the reinvigoration of Black families today.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump’s campaign opened its first field office in Philadelphia, a city that was key to Biden’s 2020 Pennsylvania win.
Donalds also claimed more than 20% of Black voters would back the GOP in November, aligning with their culturally conservative values. Both Trump and Biden are investing significant resources in winning over Black voters, expecting a closely fought rematch.
Polls suggest that Trump has gained ground with nonwhite voters. Over 20% of Black voters might support him, the highest level for a Republican presidential candidate since the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Trump is expected to announce his VP selection closer to the Republican National Convention in mid-July.
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